About Me

Few things are more important than having the right insurance coverage. About ten years ago, I was involved in a near-fatal crash where I experienced traumatic physical and emotional injuries. It was really challenging for me to endure the hospital stay and subsequent physical rehabilitation, but with the help of my medical team and my insurance company, I was able to overcome the challenge and completely recover. This blog is all about the importance of choosing the right insurance plan so that you can get on with your life and enjoy those precious years with your family and your friends.

Foggy Conditions Lead To Risky Driving

Driving in foggy conditions can be dangerous, especially when other bad weather enters the mix, increasing the risk that you will be involved in a vehicle crash. Auto accidents on your driving record, even if you aren't directly at-fault, can raise your auto insurance rate.

According to statistics compiled by the Federal Highway Administration, fog-related accidents account for more than 28,000 vehicle crashes each year. But while it can be scary to find yourself in dense fog on the roadway, don't panic. Keep a level head and follow these tips for driving safely in fog to avoid a vehicle accident and an increase in your auto insurance.

Turn on your headlights. The light they emit won't necessarily help you to see better, but the other vehicles on the road will be able to see you better. Keep in mind that other drivers have the same poor visibility that you do.

Use your low beams so that you aren't blinded by the light reflecting off the fog. Turning on your high beams won't help you see any more than you do with your low beams, but the use of your high beams may actually decrease your visibility more.

Use the windshield wipers and defrosters. Keep your vehicle's windows clear of moisture that accumulates from the fog. You want the best visibility you can get, as reduced visibility can cause rear-end collisions in foggy conditions. Even if you can't see because of fog, you may be held responsible for the accident, which can cause your auto insurance premium to go up.

Know how fast you are traveling. While you may not mean to press your foot down harder on the accelerator, you may be so intent on your driving that you aren't watching the number on the speedometer.

If you need to reduce your speed, do it slowly. Avoid making quick movements or hitting your brakes suddenly on a crowded roadway, as you could be responsible for a pileup of vehicles.

Keep a safe following distance. Although you may be tempted to drive closer to the vehicle in front of you so that you can see it better, maintaining a safe following distance in poor weather conditions can give you the time you need to stop and avoid a collision. Stay even farther behind than you normally would in favorable weather.

Stay in your lane. Rather than concentrating on the lights in front of you as you drive, keep your eyes on the lines on the road. Drive in the right-hand lane and avoid passing other vehicles.

Stop until the fog lifts. If the fog is too thick for you to drive safely, get off the roadway. Pull into a parking lot, side street, or even a nearby driveway. If there are no areas away from traffic where you can park safely, pull as far off the road as you can. Park on the other side of the curb if there is one. Remember to use your turn signal to alert other drivers that you are pulling off the road.

Only get out of your vehicle if you can do it safely. Otherwise, don't unbuckle and remain inside. Turn your vehicle's lights off so that other drivers don't think that you still are on the road and hit you from behind.

The best way to stay safe when conditions are foggy is not to drive unless you absolutely have to go somewhere. To learn more, contact an insurance agency like Edwards Insurance Agency.